Over the weekend, a woman named Chelsey Miller brought her two Yorkie puppies after they had started vomiting and having seizures at her home. After a thorough examination, the veterinarians did what they could, but the puppies were suffering from liver failure. As such, Miller made the tough choice to have them euthanized. The Yorkie puppies, Josie and Jaxson, were three months old. Devastated at the loss, Miller is still unsure exactly what it was that they consumed to make them so severely ill, but the veterinarians determined that it looked like xylitol poisoning.

The key to this discovery was due to the puppies being hypoglycemic. This occurs because their bodies produce seven times the amount of insulin that their bodies actually need. In order to counteract all of the insulin, glucose production needs to be amplified. When that doesn’t occur, and without glucose entering the body, it likely won’t, then the body becomes hypoglycemic. When this condition occurs, dogs can lose their appetite and become lethargic. They can also lose their coordination, have muscle spasms or muscle trembling, undergo seizures, discoloration of the skin and gums, and they may even succumb to a coma.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that has been found to be particularly poisonous to dogs. The ingredient itself can be found in an assortment of foods for humans such as sugarless or low sugar gums, it’s an ingredient found in some peanut butter jars, as well as bars designed for diets or protein. In addition, it’s been found in certain syrups and jellies. It isn’t just found in food either. Xylitol can also be found in cleaning products like mouthwash and toothpaste. Lotions, deodorants, and gels are another example where a dog can receive a lethal of xylitol. For dogs who have a tendency of licking the lotion off of one’s skin, this is a habit that could potentially prove to be fatal.

As such, pet owners are being advised to keep these lotions away from their pets as well as any snacks that contain the poisonous ingredient. With pets playing such a deep and emotional role in a family’s life, this is sound advice to heed. If your pet seems to be showing signs of xylitol poisoning, you’re encouraged to bring them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. The quicker they receive treatment, the more likely they will recover and survive the poisoning.

The Labrador Retriever is a hardy, eager-to-please dog breed who lives for action and their owner’s attention. Labs, as their enthusiasts colloquially call them, are the perfect dog for an active person or family who is willing to devote proper time to training.

If you’re considering a purebred Lab, know they’re available in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. But color doesn’t impact temperament (even though some claim it does)–it’s more important that potential owners thoroughly research the breed and actively seek out a reliable, professional breeder. A reputable breeder is dedicated to the breed’s health and ensures all puppies are temperament tested and conform to the Lab’s impeccable standards.

But remember: Those sweet-faced puppies grow into curious, active adults who aren’t content spending all day on the couch. Labs are active working dogs with a strong athletic drive. If their need for activity isn’t satisfied, they may find destructive ways to entertain themselves. Swimming, dock diving, and hiking are fun ways to get both you and your dog exercise.

Labs respond well to training and readily await instructions from their owners. They’re quick to learn new behaviors and, if taught early and consistently, will quickly learn their new home’s rules. This is an excellent trait, since Labs are happy, exuberant dogs who forget that they’re considered a medium-to-large sized breed. Controlling them with gentle, assertive training is essential.

Aside from training, Labs are low maintenance dogs who do best with weekly brushing and an occasional bath. If they’re not frequently walked on pavement or sidewalks, their nails will need regular trimming. Don’t forget to brush their pearly whites with a good quality chew or dog toothpaste.

Labs are loving additions to the right home. They’re silly and fun, gentle with children, and always ready to be part of the crowd. If this sounds like the right dog for you, find a great breeder near you.

Many have heard about and spoken their disdain for the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China, but the long-held tradition of eating this type of meat has yielded a happy ending this week with the rescue and rehoming of a number of dogs. In Chinese culture, it is believed that eating dog meat has exceptional medicinal properties and extraordinary health results for those who partake. Despite the outrage of many Americans and other cultures who refuse this practice, this tradition has continued throughout the years since long before the festival began in 2009.

Animal activists in China have successfully closed down an illegal slaughterhouse in Dalian, China, full of dogs in unspeakable conditions. The zealous task involves procuring these animals from horrifying cruelty and unsanitary conditions. Closure of the slaughterhouse is a victory for all dog lovers, and the heartbreaking conditions are becoming open to the public. Reports from plantbasednews.org, state that many of these facilities are illegal because they do not comply with the health standards and regulations that are expected of them. Many of the dogs are also suspected to be family pets, stolen from their homes to be used and sold in the meat industry. Dogs are often found to be friendly and tame despite their circumstances, leading rescuers to believe they were once companion animals.

Every year, animal activists and rescue organizations save thousands of dogs from these situations, taking them to receive veterinary care in order to rehabilitate them to eventually find their forever homes with new families. Many other rescues, some inside the United States, also rehabilitate and rehome animals found in these conditions. With the number of resources and time necessary to save dogs from these Chinese slaughterhouses, donations are often needed to give them the care they need while recovering.

These types of slaughterhouses in China keep their dogs in appalling circumstances that no living being should ever be subjected to. With a large portion of the Chinese population being vigorously against these conditions and this tradition, will we see stricter animal protection laws or an end to the Yulin Festival in the future? For now, with the rescue of these dogs and closure of the slaughterhouse in Dalian, the story has a happy ending.

Dogs are wonderful companions. They can be your best friend and provide unconditional love. They provide essential services like search and rescue or working as guide dogs for the blind. However, people have to consider the needs of the breed. If you’re looking to bring a new dog into your life, it’s important to take various aspects of your life into consideration before ultimately choosing a breed.

If you live in a small apartment in the city, a large dog is probably not in your future. They take up a lot of space and also need a great deal of exercise. Large dogs who are not able to get enough physical activity can become destructive or lethargic. If you live in a house with a large yard, or even better, the countryside, a large dog will suit your needs well. There are also breeds that fit well in an apartment but aren’t small, such as bulldogs or greyhounds. This may sound surprising, but these dogs are a good option for people who might need a pet with less exercise requirements. Some small dogs require more exercise than large breeds; for example, Scottish Terriers are often more active than much larger dogs, so it pays to research potential breeds.

There are also dog breeds that don’t get along well with children as a general rule. This is an important factor to take into consideration even if you don’t have kids yet. If you think you might have them in the future, get a dog that is known to be good around children. Dogs can live for quite a long time, and there are many animals given to shelters because they didn’t fit into the family when the kids came along. Some example breeds include Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, and Chow Chows. This doesn’t mean that every single one of these dogs wouldn’t get along with children, but a rule of thumb if you’re considering a new pet and there’s a baby on the way.

Every dog is individual, just like people, but different breeds have an overall personality. If you do some research, you’ll find the breed that fits best with you and your family. Owning a dog can be one of the most wonderful, fulfilling experiences you’ve ever had, so make sure you’re a good match for each other. Your new best friend deserves to be as they will make you.

The $1.3 trillion spending bill Congress passed to avoid a government shutdown includes new rules to prevent the VA from conducting medical testing on dogs. This comes after a shocking investigation into the VA’s canine medical experiments over the last year.

Under the new rules, the VA cannot use dogs in research unless the use of dogs is the only way to meet study objectives. Even when these guidelines are met, the VA secretary must directly approve the study and report to Congress explaining why dogs are being used and why alternatives are not an option.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been targeted since last year by the White Coat Waste Project for its use of dogs in medical testing. The VA defended its use of dogs by stating that the projects were strictly monitored and controlled and led to life-saving breakthroughs.

VA Secretary David Shulkin said canine medical experiments were responsible for the development of an artificial pancreas to automatically monitor blood glucose levels and administer insulin and an inplantable pacemaker. Critics contended that these examples are now decades old and most of the research the VA is conducting has not translated to human patients. Opponents also claim the VA is using outdated models that do not consider modern advances that offer alternatives to the use of canines.

An investigation by the VA’s Office of Research Oversight in 2017 revealed failed surgeries and dog deaths at a Virginia VA facility. Across the country, three VA facilities perform invasive experiments on about 300 dogs, including Beagle puppies, that include surgical procedures on their hearts, spines, and brains. Researchers conduct these tests to seek treatment for veterans with heart disease and other conditions. When the research is complete, the dogs are killed.

According to the investigation, researchers at the Virginia facility did not document whether dogs were treated humanely. Four dogs suffered complications from the experimental surgical procedures.

Last week, VA officials launched an internal review of its dog testing with a goal of reducing these medical studies, reversing its strong defense of the practice last year.

The addition of the new rules in the spending bill came after 53 members of Congress issued a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, urging them to cut taxpayer money for canine medical research under the new spending bill.

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